Following a recent Metro Santa Cruz cover story profiling problems found at the Salt Air Motel, owner Dilip Patel called to offer his side of the story. The article, Motel Hell, maintained that the owners and managers of Beach Hill's Salt Air had, among other things, charged higher rates to Hispanic guests, eavesdropped on telephone calls, used guests for cheap labor around the property in exchange for rent and charged exorbitant rates for toiletries that most inns supply for free. Although the Salt Air was called for a response to the allegations before the article was printed, the answering party refused to give a name or to talk to the reporter.

Patel began by apologizing for whoever told the reporter to "go to hell" when she called the Salt Air. "We sometimes get as many as 10 telemarketing calls a day, and we thought it was one of those," he explained. Reading from prepared notes, Patel then responded to each of the allegations against him and managers Mike and Sheila Patel. Regarding the charges made by former motel guests Rick Gagnon and Clint, that they were expected to work in exchange for larger accommodations, Patel said, "They said they would like a bigger unit with a kitchenette, and they were willing to help out around the property. They asked us 20 times a day what they could do. We would give them an average of $5 to $10 a day."

Disputing Gagnon's claims, as well as those of other eyewitnesses, that Gagnon and Clint worked several hours a day for Salt Air, Patel added, "Maybe they worked an hour or so a day. I thought I was doing him a favor--I didn't know he was doing this behind my back."

Regarding the allegation that Hispanics were routinely charged more for rooms than other races, the motel owner said, "That was only for selected Mexicans--only those who are locally known to us. We would not practice discrimination as we are [also a minority]." He continued, "It is true that from Labor Day until Memorial Day, businesses such as us have to rent on a weekly basis. We do not enjoy renting to clients from charitable organizations because of the great range of clientele involved. The clientele always expect more than what is provided in a budget, economy-class motel . . . but we have accommodated thousands of families with little or no problems."

And why did all the tenants interviewed claim that the Patels eavesdropped on the phone calls? "There is a problem with the phone system," he said. "There is static noise and we're trying to get it fixed." How about charging a dollar per roll of toilet paper or bar of soap to former tenant Virginia López? "She lied," Patel said. "She sent her young boy or girl almost every day for soap and toilet paper, and we gave it to them at no charge."

Patel also read a list of favors that he or the managers did for Gagnon or Clint during their almost two-month stay, which included loaning them an in-house coffee-maker and giving them coffee, sugar and creamer for free, providing them pots and pans to keep, and, contrary to Gagnon's claims, allowing them free phone calls.

Patel also said he provided a locked area for Gagnon's car, since Gagnon told Patel it was in danger of repossession.

In closing, Patel stated, "If Richard and Clint did not enjoy living here, they had the choice of leaving the motel to stay elsewhere. During his stay at the Salt Air, he acted very innocently and that made us do all kinds of favors for him. I think that people should know that [Gagnon] is now in jail."

Patel added, "If Rick has an epilepsy problem and Clint has a problem with suicide attempts, it shows very clearly that their minds are not stable and their statements have no basis at all."

The Pay of the Locust

So much for free parking. Starting Monday, Jan. 29, the Locust Garage will become the new Ministry of Small Change. The little booth at the entrance of the three-year-old structure will be equipped with a little person taking a tidbit from your puny paycheck each time you exit. The first hour is a quarter--which isn't bad. Three hours, previously free, will cost you $1.25. But if you want to hang around downtown for six hours or more, you'll max out at five bucks--not too cool for those working minimum wagers. (The average stay, according to city staff, is 60-90 minutes--that's 30-50 cents.)

The city put up $38,700 to bring us this modern delight. Parking staff estimates that annual income from the paid parking will range from $50,000 to $80,000--enough to cover costs and possibly make a small profit for city coffers.

A lot of people who work downtown already pay a quarterly fee for unlimited downtown parking. On Dec. 6, City Parking Programs Manager Matt Farrell sent a letter to all the permit holders asking them to park on the third floor and roof of the Locust structure to give "customers" more convenient parking. Mark Adato, city traffic engineering technician, says the request originated with the Downtown Association, which wanted to assure customers ground-floor parking during the holidays. Adato adds that the request could become an enforced policy in the future.

Pot in the Kettle

Once again, it's time for that annoying cliché "Only in Santa Cruz." This time it's a group of hemp activists and their pals who plan to use a local marijuana cultivation case as a platform to change the world. Next Wednesday (Jan. 16), Santa Cruzan Robbie Burlin will stand trial for pot growing, but he won't be alone. In addition to his attorney--medical marijuana crusader and perennial candidate Ed Frey--Burlin plans to bring in doctors, patients, authors and, he claims, "the truth" about "the unjust and downright illegal prohibition on marijuana." The entourage plans a protest at the SC County Courthouse at 8am. Burlin says he has a medical condition that warrants his pot growing, and if that's the case, he may get off the hook.

Green Giant?

It's not surprising that the Green Party of California has chosen our own little hotbed of activism for its statewide convention. The Greens will be here in full strength on Jan. 21-22 at the downtown Santa Cruz Vet's Hall, where party members will schmooze and discuss recent politics and issues of electoral reform. Organizers are keeping fingers crossed for a guest appearance by Green presidential candidate and consumer activist Ralph Nader. Bill Monning, who took a good crack at Bruce McPherson's 27th District state Assembly seat during the last election season, will be on hand for a workshop on alliance building. For more information, call Robin Brooks at 476-5957.